Most engineers hold themselves back by waiting too long to act. In this episode, Steve and Jake Maxey break down how speed of decision-making drives value in your career and projects. Not theory—practical, tactical advice you can use right now.
Key Topics Covered
• Why projects bleed money from slow decisions, not big mistakes
• How to spot critical path items and move them forward early
• Why fear of being wrong keeps engineers stuck
• The hidden cost of long email chains vs. quick calls
• How urgency creates leverage with clients and leadership
• Detaching your ego from being “right” to accelerate progress
• Using bad ideas as stepping stones to great ones
• Why volume of decisions creates more data, faster learning, better outcomes
• The power of short communication loops to speed up clarity
• How to handle pushback when others resist fast action
Actionable Steps
• Map project tasks and mark which ones have long lead times
• Pick one critical path item this week and move it forward without waiting for perfect data
• Replace one long email with a direct phone call or desk visit
• Use emails only as records of decisions already made
• Throw out ideas quickly, even if rough, to spark faster collaboration
• Ask experienced colleagues about timelines and milestones to front-load preparation
• Plan contingencies in advance to reduce hesitation later
• When you get pushback, analyze whether it’s about the process or about their comfort level
• Walk while thinking—use movement to clarify conversations before they happen
• Track how much faster results come when you cut waiting loops
Who This Episode Is For
• Engineers stuck in analysis paralysis, afraid to be wrong
• Burned-out contributors buried under endless emails and “busy” tasks
• Early-career engineers trying to prove their value quickly
• ICs overlooked for leadership because they hesitate instead of act
• Anyone tired of watching projects stall from indecision
Why It Matters
Leadership isn’t about having every answer. It’s about moving the work forward, faster, and learning as you go. The more decisions you make, the more opportunities you create—for yourself, your team, and your career. Speed creates visibility, impact, and trust.
Where to Listen
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Or wherever you get your podcasts
Share
If this episode hit home, send it to someone. The Impactful Engineer grows by word of mouth—just like the best careers do.
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Ruthie's Table 4
For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home. On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customers—who have become friends—to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. “Foods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers. Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, and Alfonso Cuarón, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks. Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant. You are invited to take a seat at this intimate table and join the conversation. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to https://shoptherivercafe.co.uk/ Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/therivercafelondon/ Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.